Book It: Four hotels if you fancy a Great British beach break
When the weather is fine – and for once in Britain, it has been – there’s no reason not to be near a beach. Here are four of our favourites...
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Newquay, Cornwall
Best for... family fun
The low-down: A stalwart of the North Cornish coast since 1959, Bedruthan is one of those hotels that keeps families coming back year after year. Now it’s entrancing a new generation with its gentle pace, excellent childcare and extreme natural beauty. While many hotels merely tolerate small children, Bedruthan caters to them, with daily kids’ club attendance included in the room rates, indoor softplay and an outdoor adventure playground (try pulling your toddlers away from the in-ground trampoline for bedtime) and on-staff babysitters. It’s stylish, with warm, retro-Scandi-ish design, and smart — our family sea view room had the ideal layout for a family of four (although the lack of air conditioning made the recent heatwave a mixed blessing). And all of it comes with staggering views over Mawgan Porth, a sandy beach with dramatic tides and ample space for sandcastles. Next time: surfing lessons…
Out and about: Quaint Padstow (and its many excellent Rick Stein restaurants) is just a 15-minute drive away. Follow spectacular fish and chips with a harbour-side ice cream – just look out for greedy seagulls.
Stella loves: Clambering down the coastal path to a secluded section of the beach, complete with a waterfall.
Read the full review: Bedruthan Hotel & Spa
From £156 a night b&b; bedruthan.com
Words by Emily Cronin
• The best hotels in Britain to catch a wave
The Seafood Restaurant & Rooms, Padstow, Cornwall
Best for... starry seafood
The low-down: Rick Stein, it seems, has cheerfully taken over Padstow. The Seafood Restaurant, Stein’s flagship fish restaurant has sixteen bright perky rooms – some looking on to the harbour – all expertly designed by his wife, Jill. There are excellent cookery classes, too, including one for children. Seafood a speciality, obviously. And to top it all, there is a great beach 10 minutes to the north of the town.
Out and about: Take in the most glorious scenery on bike along the Camel Trail, a disused railway line (level and traffic free!) with plenty of pit stops along the way and a famous Poldark filming spot! Greens of Padstow is a great place to enjoy food from 10-10 daily and even has mini golf on the roof with fabulous views.
Stella loves: Anyone travelling with a pet pooch will love the blanket, bowl and gourmet treats provided.
Read the full review: The Seafood Restaurant & Rooms
From £165 a night b&b; rickstein.com
Words by Jessamy Calkin
• Britain's best restaurants with rooms
Restaurant James Sommerin, Penarth, Wales
Best for…gastronomic feasts
The low-down: A stone’s throw away from the beach, overlooking the Severn Estuary, lies Restaurant James Sommerin, boasting countless awards and a shiny Michelin star. Opt for the nine-course taster menu, a bespoke menu created just for you and challenge the kitchen to include ingredients of your choice – the bubblegum panna cotta? Sure! If there's no moving you after all that food, check into one of the smartly kitted out rooms above to take you through to breakfast (if there's room that is).
Out and about: Take a trip down memory lane in Penarth Pier Pavilion they have exhibitions and monthly film nights. Cardiff Castle is only three miles away, and well worth a visit to the wartime tunnels.
Stella loves: Walks along the charming Victorian pier minus all the usual tat.
Read the full review: Rooms at James Sommerin
From £75 per person per night b&b; jamessommerinrestaurant.co.uk
Words by Ruth Lewis
• The best seaisde hotels in Dorset
Bournemouth Beach Lodges, Dorset
Best for... sunset Instagrams
The low-down: The only way to sleep closer to the sea would be on a boat. And these stylish new beachfront lodges do have something of a cruise-ship cabin vibe to them — the same ingenious efficiency, which dictates that everything has its specific place. Tabletops slide into wardrobe niches to make space for a banquette to convert into a pull-out double bed; the doors open completely to let the sea views and breezes in. The close quarters mean these lodges are better for couples or families than groups of friends, but it couldn’t be more photogenic – what a brilliant place to watch the surf roll in while you raise a toast with new friends on a neighbouring deck.
Out and about: Ride the Land Train to Bournemouth Pier, feed the fish with eco-friendly mini-golf on Boscombe Pier, split a pizza at The Wood Oven or venture further afield for legendary fish and chips at Chez Fred.
Stella loves: Waking up to the sound of waves, the locally baked apple cake and other treats waiting in the compact but fully functional kitchenette.
Three weekend nights from £325
Words by Emily Cronin
